Learn to Animate Baby Yoda!

Illustrated by Rogie King


Animated in Premiere Pro using our Animation Builder tools. 

STEP 1: Create a custom Yoda template

  • Drag in a ‘Custom Image’ Template. For this example we used Custom Image HD.

  • Once the template is loaded, drag and drop in each Yoda layer 1-9. This will replace the placeholder images. 


    (JPG, PNG, EPS, AI or MOV files are compatible.)

  • Once complete click generate template and choose a recognizable name for your template.

STEP 2: Organize your project

  • Drag your newly generated template into the Premiere Pro Essential Graphics Panel.


    (If you don’t see the E.G. panel go to Window / Essential Graphics to reveal it.)

  • Once your template is loaded into the panel, drag it from the panel into the timeline.

  • Set the duration of the layer to be the length you would like the loop to be. 


    (You can find duration under In/Out Animation.)

  • Now shorten the end of the clip to match the duration length. 


    (You will see a blue end of frame indicator.)

  • Duplicate the layer until you have 9 layers total.

  • Now from bottom to top, select a layer and assign an image 1-9.


    (Go under object settings to assign your custom images.)

  • Now we recommend organizing your layers. Right click one layer at a time and click ‘Rename’ and assign a name to match the layer.

STEP 3: Add animations!

  • Now that your project is organized,
    turn off all layers visibility except for the right arm. 


    (Click the eyeball in the left of the timeline to turn off visibility.)

  • Select the right arm layer and set the Center Point to be positioned at the top left of his shoulder. 


    (Center Point is located under Object Placement.)

  • Once placed, collapse the object placement menu then expand the looping animations drop down menu and set Animate Rotation to random.

  • Adjust the speed and amount of the rotation to your liking. 


    (Scrub back and forth to preview, use arrow keys to scrub through frame by frame.)

  • Now repeat the 3 steps above for the left hand. Adding a random rotation as you see fit.

  • Once complete select the Beams layer and set the center point to be in the center of where the beams should pulsate from.

  • Under looping animations set animate scale to pulse.

  • Adjust the speed and amount of the scale to your liking.

  • Select each layer and make sure the Interface is toggled off for each.

Illustrated by Rogie King

STEP 4: You’re done!

  • Now it’s time to render. Go to Sequence / Render in to out.

  • Or if you’re confident in your animation you can export your animation. To do this go to File / Export / Media.

Watch the full video tutorial!

 We hope you enjoyed this tutorial! If you have any questions or requests for our next tutorial please let us know!


PS: Why did movies 4, 5, and 6 come before 1, 2, and 3? Because Master of the Order, Yoda was!